The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reacted to reports that a Federal High Court ruling sacked its elected but yet-to-be inaugurated State Chairmen, saying it will first study the judgement before taking a position.

The ruling introduces a legal complication to the party’s internal process, barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the state congresses on the grounds that the David Mark-led committee lacked the authority to set up committees to conduct them.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said its attention had been drawn to the reports and outlined its immediate response.

“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has noted media reports suggesting that the Federal High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik, has sacked the party’s duly elected, but yet-to-be inaugurated, State Chairmen,” Abdullahi said.

He pointed to the party’s earlier position on the tenure of its officials.

“For clarity, the party had earlier stated, immediately after the congresses, that the process did not in any way truncate the tenure of the current State Executives, who will serve out their mandates before the newly elected officials are inaugurated,” the ADC said.

The party added that It is now seeking legal guidance on the implications of the ruling.

“The ADC leadership has, however, directed its legal team to obtain and review the judgement in detail and advise the party on the appropriate course of action,” he added.

The development leaves the status of the state congresses in question and casts fresh uncertainty over the party’s transition process at the sub-national level. (Vanguard)

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